Centre Urges Himalayan States to Assess Carrying Capacity to Protect Ecosystems
Ten News Network
New Delhi, Sep 05, 2023: The Indian government has urged the Supreme Court to direct all 13 Himalayan states and Union territories to assess the carrying capacity of their mountainous regions. Carrying capacity refers to the maximum population size an ecosystem can sustain without degradation.
In an affidavit submitted on Monday, the Centre emphasized the need for these states and UTs to outline steps taken to prevent further ecosystem degradation and propose action plans. These proposals would be evaluated by a technical committee led by the Director of the GB Pant National Institute of Himalayan Environment.
The Centre’s response comes following severe monsoon rains that caused significant damage in Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand, resulting in at least 103 casualties. Landslides, building collapses, and infrastructure damage were among the consequences.
The 13 Himalayan states and UTs include Jammu and Kashmir, Ladakh, Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh, and others. The Centre has requested the Supreme Court to issue appropriate directives to these states for conducting fresh assessments. States are advised to form committees headed by their respective chief secretaries to gather information on the load-carrying capacity of hill stations, cities, and eco-sensitive zones.
Guidelines for assessing the carrying capacity of mountainous areas were provided to these states in January 2020, with reminders sent in May 2023 to expedite the study and action plan submission.
The Centre now implores the Supreme Court to intervene with the Himalayan states for conducting these assessments in accordance with the 2020 guidelines. The ministry suggests that the studies be examined by a technical committee led by the Director of the GB Pant National Institute of Himalayan Environment, involving experts from various disciplines.
The Supreme Court has been addressing this issue in response to a public interest litigation highlighting the degradation of ecologically fragile areas in the Himalayan states. The court is considering the formation of a committee to address the challenges related to haphazard construction, increased tourism, and the lack of planned development in these regions.
The matter is expected to be heard later this week.
